And love
Chap 76 Evidence & feelings
A/N: I made an error in chapter 75. Danny's injury was sustained in an automobile accident. Not a GSW while on duty. Fortunately, that does not affect the flow of the story.
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Jamie & Eddie Acres (Home named)
CHIME – FRONT DOOR
Cassie looks at her phone, she sees 2 sheriff's officers. "Sheriff is here," she yells. "I'll see what they want."
Cassie opens the door and asks, "I am Cassie, may I help you?"
"Yes, I am sheriff Abdul. (Muhammed Abdul) This is my son, deputy Ibrahim. May we talk with your parents, please?"
"Certainly, please come in and wait here," Cassie ushers the two men into the foyer. She scurries away to find mom or dad.
She finds them in the home office, both at wok on their computer. "Mom, dad, the sheriff and a deputy are here to speak with you."
"Did he say what he wants, sweetie?"
"No."
"Ok, show them in here. We'll get 2 chairs for them," dad says.
Cassie retrieves the visitors and leads them to the office. Ater announcing them, she lingers just outside.
Jamie and Eddie do introductions and they sit.
The sheriff begins, "We are taking another look at the harassment case involving your children and Henry Reagan. We'd like to close that out; so, we would like to know if you have any more information?"
"Maybe something has come to mind?" The deputy suggests.
Cassie sticks her head into the doorway, "Daddy, I have video."
The office occupants turn and look her way.
"You do?" Eddie exclaims.
"Yes, on my phone. My sisters and I have looked at it a few times; to see if we could have done something better, you know." She blushes.
"May we see it, please?" The deputy inquires softly. He smiles sweetly as he extends his hand.
Cassie looks to mom and dad, they both nod.
Her hand trembles as she reaches out and gives the deputy her phone. His hand brushes hers as he takes the device. She blushes slightly and hurries from the room.
Eddie glances quickly to Jamie, he shakes his head almost imperceptibly. She stays put.
The LEO find the video and view it. They both nod, "This will be very helpful. We must take this phone back to the office and download the video; it is evidence. With your permission, of course." The sheriff says.
"Yes, of course," Jamie permits. "How long will that take?"
"2 hours," deputy Ibrahim estimates.
"Good, shall I come get the phone?" Dad asks.
"No need, I will return it," the deputy assures them.
"We will await that," Jamie concludes. He shows the two men out; then turns and motions for Eddie to go upstairs to see to Cassie.
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UPSTAIRS BEDROOM
Mom finds Cassie lying supine on her top trundle. She hasn't been crying, but seems contemplative, staring at the ceiling.
"Cass, what are you thinking sweetie?" Eddie pulls out the lower trundle, kneels on it so she can look Cassie in the eyes.
"I don't know mom. When his hand touched mine, I felt something. What was that?" She is desperate for an answer.
"Cassie, you are approaching the age when physical contact means something. Both with girls and boys."
"You mean puberty . . . like the talk we had?"
"Yes, that's right. Your hormones will change, new ones will come into dominance. You need to be very careful who and how you touch."
"But a handshake, or a hand touch?" She frowns.
"Those things are innocent, or should be. With an innocent touch the critical aspect is duration. Cass, shake my hand."
They give a good shake, and release.
"Now, shake again."
They grasp and shake, BUT mom holds on for an extra second, smiles and releases.
"Did you feel the difference?"
Cassie's eyes open wide, "YES! What is it?"
"The difference is the intended message. Is it a simple greeting, a simple hello? Or is it something more? That something more is what you discover over time. Not just one touch, not just one handshake."
"Like you and dad?"
"Yes, our touches mean something more. And they should. NOW – there is something else I want you to know."
"About Ibrahim?"
"Yes, but not just him. His culture."
"You mean Arabs?"
"Yes, middle eastern cultures – not Jews."
"Ok, what do I need to know?"
"Many of those cultures believe that a girl becomes a woman when she begins having her monthly periods."
"OH, that talk we had!"
"Exactly, you could start soon."
"And you have me keep supplies and a change of clothes in my backpack."
"Yup. Now, those cultures consider a girl is a woman when she has her 1st period. And she is ready to marry, to become a wife."
"WHAT! NO!"
"Yes, Cass. Now not everyone believes that way, or forces girls to do that. I do not know about the sheriff or his son. I just wanted you to know, so you can be careful. I am not advising you to not be friendly with young middle eastern boys."
"Just be aware, and careful, right?"
"Exactly, sweetheart."
"Thanks mom. I love you!"
"Dad and I love you! Remember you can always come to us, about anything."
"I do, and I will."
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AFTER SUPPER – FAMILY ROOM
Jamie and Eddie are snuggled on the love seat; Patrick & AJ are playing on the carpet; the girls are scattered around on cushions.
Eddie begins, "Dad and I learned today of the video of the harassment incident on the riding trail."
"Are we in trouble?" Mal mutters.
"No," Jamie responds. "But you knew that a crime had been committed, however minor that was. You should have told mom or me about the video sooner. Next time, please?" He raises an eyebrow.
They all nod, rather ashamed.
"Anyway," mom gives all threegirls the talk she shared with Cassie earlier.
All questions were answered, fears assuaged.
It was early for Mary Rose to hear the menses part; but Jamie and Eddie felt that both she and Mal were ok. Their responses reassured the parents.
Better to hear it from mom and dad.
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FRIDAY – DOC ANDREWS
AJ is at his 6-month check-up for his absence spells. They have been keeping a log of episodes.
"I see that AJ's spells have been steadily decreasing. That is good," the pediatrician says. She is checking him over while he squirms on the exam table. Mary Rose is trying to comfort her little brother.
"His exam is within normal parameters; as you can tell, he is a small child. Especially when compared to his twin."
"Why is that," Eddie asks.
"Genetics. If there had been placental stealing, AJ would be catching up with Patrick. He's not. AJ is just going to be smaller than his brother."
"And the spells?" Cassie asks.
"We'll just watch them. It's too early, and they are too infrequent to diagnose anything. And the chance of him developing anything related – we just can't tell."
"So, we're good?" Eddie asks.
"Yes, I should see AJ in 3 months."
Cassie picks up her brother, kisses him on the head, and they troop out of the exam room. Mom picks up an appointment reminder card and they leave.
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TBC